While both are large .45 caliber cartridges with rimmed cases, comparing the 454 Casull vs. 45-70 Govt is odd for one primary reason: the 454 Casull is a revolver cartridge, but the 45-70 Govt is a rifle cartridge.
As you continue reading this article, you’ll discover how their differences affect real-world performance, enabling you to choose the better cartridge for your situation.
What Are the Differences Between 454 Casull and 45-70 Govt?
I just touched on one of the significant differences between the 454 Casull and 45-70 Government; the 45-70 is a rifle cartridge, while the 454 Casull is a handgun cartridge. However, there are specific instances when the 45-70 Govt is chambered in a revolver (Magnum Research BFR), and the 454 Casull is chambered in a lever-action rifle (Rossi R92).
The cartridges have some similarities, which we’ll discuss in the specifications section. Then we’ll compare their recoil, trajectory, stopping power, and several other factors to help you determine which round is better for you.
Cartridge Specs
The 454 Casull is based on the 45 Colt. Its bullet diameter is 0.452”, and its neck and base diameters are 0.480”. Its case length is 1.383”, making the overall length 1.770”. Its capacity is 45.5 grains H2O. Thanks to the 454 Casull’s longer case, 45 Schofield and 45 Colt cartridges can both chamber in a 454 Casull firearm (but not vice versa).
The 45-70 Govt was a unique design, without a parent case. It uses a bullet with a 0.458” diameter. Its neck diameter is the same as the 454 Casull’s (0.480”), though its base diameter is wider (0.505”). The 45-70 case is significantly longer than the 454 Casull case at 2.105”, translating into an overall length of 2.550”. The 45-70 Govt’s case capacity is substantially larger at 81.8 grains H2O.
Some might be surprised by the maximum pressure difference. The 45-70 Govt has a max pressure of 28,000 psi – much lower than 65,000 psi for the 454 Casull.
Let’s see how these cartridges’ different specifications affect their relative performance, starting with recoil.
Recoil: 454 Casull vs. 45-70 Govt
When comparing cartridges, it’s wise to begin with their recoil. The cartridge that kicks harder is often more powerful and causes more muzzle rise, which can lead to less accurate follow-up shots.
The softer your firearm kicks, the less discomfort and fatigue you will feel. Gentler recoil can also help you avoid losing accuracy due to reflexive flinching.
“Felt recoil” is subjective. Two shooters may agree that one round kicks harder than another, but their agreement wouldn’t be measurable. “Free recoil” is the opposite. It can be calculated based on four variables: projectile weight, propellant weight, muzzle velocity, and firearm weight.
Both cartridges are known for their heavy recoil. The 454 Casull is thought to have more recoil than the 45-70 because it is most often fired from a revolver which is lighter and absorbs less recoil, whereas the 45-70 Govt is most often fired from a rifle. Truth is, the 45-70 Govt has more recoil than the 454 Casull. It just isn’t noticeable in most cases.
When firing a 260 grain bullet at 1,798 fps, with 16.85gr propellant from a 3.5-pound revolver (like the Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan), the 454 Casull generates 27.58 ft-lbs of recoil energy.
When firing a 250 grain bullet at 2,025 fps, with 25.3gr propellant from a 4.5-pound revolver, the 45-70 produces 28.22 ft-lbs of recoil energy. When that same load is fired from a 7.4-pound rifle (like the Henry Lever-Action X Model), recoil energy equals 17.6 ft-lbs.
When fired from firearms of similar weights, these cartridges have nearly identical amounts of recoil energy. This section is a tie because the average shooter won’t be able to distinguish between the two (unless they’re firing one from a rifle and the other from a handgun).
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